Mapping an 'Organisational Practical Theology' for South Africa

Abstract

Industry is increasingly becoming aware of the fact that their greatest asset is people. Employees whose specific attributes, talents, knowledge, expertise and/or experience are harnessed to the full, contributing to the successful functioning and sustainability of the organisation, gave rise to a wealth of research being dedicated to best practices concerning recruitment, retention of good personnel, continuous improvement, leadership development, as well as creating a meaningful workplace environment. Within this context, this applied research study aims to determine what cross-disciplinary dialogue, if any, exists between practical theology as an academic discipline and the economic and management sciences, human resources, industrial psychology, organisation theory and for that matter, any discipline with a pronounced contribution to the organisational context. It endeavours to determine what contribution the practical theologian, with well-grounded academic and practical experience as a helping professional, notably mostly informed by faith-based organisations (church), can make as an inscribed but decentred facilitator within a profit-based organisation (industry). The study followed an exploratory qualitative approach using an auto-ethnographic design as the research methodology. Non-probability sampling, network chain referral and questionnaires were used as data collection methods. The research paradigm is post-modernistic and therefore the narratives of people's experiences form an integral part. The overall framework of the study finds expression in Richard Osmer's (Van der Watt, 1988)(2008) four tasks of practical theology.